Chapter 131: The Eve of the Secret Chamber
Yu Xiaojia and Yu Xiaogang were of the same generation.
This Yu Xiaojia was the son of an Elder from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, one who also possessed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit and had reached the Spirit Douluo level.
Yu Xiaojia himself was considered a significant talent, having reached Level 55 Spirit Power before the age of 30. He was one of the excellent disciples Yu Yuanzhen had brought to Spirit City to witness the clan's triumphant victory in the Sect Competition.
Yu Xiaogang, however, had been away from home for many years. The stress and failures of his research, coupled with his mutated spirit, had aged him prematurely. His features were worn, and he lacked the proud, draconic aura of the clan's mainstream disciples.
Because of this, Yu Xiaojia, flushed with the victory of his clan and standing among the elite, did not immediately recognize the disheveled, pathetic-looking man standing before him.
But Yu Xiaogang recognized him. A flicker of memory, of a cousin who had often mocked his "Fart-splitting Dragon" spirit, crossed his mind. More importantly, he saw his father, Yu Yuanzhen, standing right beside him, radiating the aura of the World's Number One Sect's leader.
This was the opportunity he had been waiting for. His father's clan was now the World's Number One Sect. Surely, now, his father would acknowledge him. Surely, his theories would be validated by this success.
Taking a deep breath, Yu Xiaogang put on his best "drama queen" performance. He widened his eyes in feigned surprise, "Are you... Cousin Xiaojia?"
Before Yu Xiaojia could process the question, Yu Xiaogang's gaze turned to Yu Yuanzhen. His expression shifted to one of utter 'shock' and feigned filial piety. "And Father! Why are you here?"
"What? You are Yu Xiaogang?"
Before Yu Yuanzhen, his face an impassive mask, could respond, Yu Xiaojia reacted. He looked at this stranger, then truly looked at him. The familiar, yet pathetic, features clicked into place.
Yu Xiaojia's expression twisted from confusion to pure disgust. He scrutinized Yu Xiaogang from head to toe. This was him. This was the good-for-nothing who had published that idiotic paper and caused a great disaster, making the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan the laughingstock of the Spirit Master World.
And now, now that they had just won the ultimate honor, this disgrace dared to show his face? Yu Xiaojia instantly flew into a rage.
"You! Yu Xiaogang!" he spat, his voice loud enough to draw the attention of nearby Spirit Masters. "You still dare to appear before us? Haven't you already brought enough misery to the Clan? Now that you see the Clan has become the World's Number One Sect, you want to come crawling back? Let me tell you, it's over! As early as half a month ago, the Clan Master already announced to the public that you have been expelled from the Clan!"
Boom—!
Yu Xiaojia's words struck Yu Xiaogang like a bolt of divine lightning, exploding in his mind. His face turned deathly pale. The triumphant narrative he had built in his head shattered instantly. Expelled?
His carefully constructed performance collapsed, replaced by genuine, sickening dread. He looked at his father in disbelief, his eyes frantically searching Yu Yuanzhen's stony face for an answer, for any sign this was a cruel joke.
He couldn't believe it. He had been away from Spirit City for only two months, and he had been expelled?
For him, this was more than a major blow; it was the annihilation of his identity. His entire life's work was dedicated to proving his worth to the clan that scorned him. To be cut off from it...
The timing couldn't be worse. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had just become the World's Number One Sect. Their prestige was at its absolute peak. They were the center of the Spirit Master World, respected and feared. This was their moment of glory.
Yu Xiaojia's loud, angry accusation had drawn a crowd. Spirit Masters from other sects, who had been milling about after the competition, turned to look. They had just witnessed the clan's supreme power, and now someone was daring to cause a scene?
Hearing that someone was challenging the new World's Number One Sect, everyone couldn't help but look over curiously. They wanted to know who had such immense courage. Who dared to block the path of Yu Yuanzhen himself?
When they recognized the pale, trembling man as Yu Xiaogang, the crowd wasn't just shocked; they were scornful. Whispers broke out immediately.
"Isn't that Yu Xiaogang? The one who published that garbage theory?"
"Yes! 'The Ten Core Competencies of Spirits'!"
[Inorin's Note: This refers to Yu Xiaogang's research, "The Ten Core Competencies of Spirits," which was considered heretical and flawed by the Spirit Master establishment.]
"I heard dozens of Spirit Masters died trying to follow his idiotic research!"
"He caused a huge uproar. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan publicly disowned him. It caused quite a stir."
"Unexpectedly, he still dares to appear here. He must see that the clan is number one and wants to use this opportunity to return. What a shameless opportunist!"
Thus, with the mentality of enjoying the spectacle, the surrounding crowd backed away, forming a wide, mocking circle to observe the unfolding family drama.
From the Supreme Pontiff's platform, Qian Xunji also looked over. His expression was one of mild, cruel interest. After the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan became the World's Number One Sect, he had been contemplating how to subtly suppress their newfound arrogance. An opportunity had just presented itself.
This public humiliation of the Clan Master's son was perfect. Qian Xunji planned to fan the flames and kick the clan while they were down, using their own trash to smear their new title.
Bibi Dong, standing beside Qian Xunji, clenched her fists. A worried expression marred her beautiful eyes. She knew Yu Xiaogang's pride. This public rejection, especially from his father, would be the most significant setback of his life. She felt a pang of pity, but she was powerless.
Qin Xuan, further away, had also been keeping an eye on Yu Xiaogang. He had originally planned to return to the Elder Hall, but seeing Qian Xunji's predatory gaze, he paused. Seeing the Supreme Pontiff himself intending to interfere, Qin Xuan couldn't help but show a look of cold interest. The show was just getting started.
"Father... is this true?" Yu Xiaogang looked past his snarling cousin, his voice cracking. He spoke with agonizing difficulty, the weight of the entire crowd's attention pressing down on him.
If it weren't for the single, desperate hope that his father would refute the claim, his cowardly personality would have made him run away the moment Yu Xiaojia began his harsh words.
Yu Yuanzhen's face was like granite. He remained silent for a long moment, the silence itself a form of torture.
It wasn't that he felt nothing. But words spoken were like water poured out. He had made the announcement to save the clan's reputation. To reverse it now, in front of the entire Spirit Master World and the Supreme Pontiff, would make him a laughingstock.
His gaze finally met his son's. He spoke one word, cold and final: "Yes."
That single word was the executioner's blade. Yu Xiaogang felt as if his entire world had crumbled, as if he had been abandoned by everyone and everything. He didn't have the strength to ask why. The public answer was humiliation enough. His eyes reddened, and a sob of despair caught in his throat.
He turned frantically, wanting only to escape. He scrambled away from his family, pushing blindly into the crowd of mocking spectators.
Just then, the crowd on his right automatically parted, creating a path. Yu Xiaogang plunged into it, so blinded by tears and shame that he didn't see who was there. He collided directly with the imposing figure of Qian Xunji and his entourage, who were walking towards the scene.
Qian Xunji snorted coldly, an expression of disdain on his face. He didn't even move. A brilliant golden light, a passive shield of his angel spirit's power, surged in front of him.
Yu Xiaogang, with his pathetic Spirit Power, was sent flying backward like a swatted fly, tumbling end over end.
He landed hard, but before he could fall flat on his face in the dirt, Yu Yuanzhen's hand shot out. Out of a last flicker of fatherly affection—or perhaps just to prevent further disgrace to his own bloodline—he caught him by the collar.
"How dare you! Daring to offend His Holiness the Supreme Pontiff!" Golden Bell Douluo, one of the Titled Douluo flanking Qian Xunji, sternly rebuked, his voice booming with Spirit Power.
Qian Xunji raised his hand, halting the Elder. A magnanimous, yet utterly false, smile spread across his face. "Ah, there is no fault for the ignorant. Do not frighten him. Besides, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has just become the World's Number One Sect. We should at least give Clan Master Yu some face."
He looked at Yu Yuanzhen, his smile widening, every word dripping with condescension.
"No matter what, Yu Xiaogang is also Clan Master Yu's own son, a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon."
Qian Xunji's words were perfectly crafted to be as grating as possible. He was highlighting the "trash" son of the "number one" Clan Master. Yu Yuanzhen's face darkened, his tone turning frosty.
He coldly snorted, "Your Holiness the Supreme Pontiff exaggerates. Although Xiao Gang is my own son, he committed a grave mistake that shamed the clan. I have long since expelled him. Now, he is no longer a disciple of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
Hearing his father's public, final denial, Yu Xiaogang's tears could no longer be held back. They overflowed, cutting paths through the grime on his face. He spoke with difficulty, his voice a broken whisper, "Father... what mistake did your son commit? Why... why do you want to expel me from the Clan?"
Before Yu Yuanzhen had to answer, Yu Xiaojia surged forward again, eager to defend the clan's honor (and kick a man who was down).
"What mistake? You dare ask what mistake?" he roared. "You, in your personal capacity, published that nonsensical 'The Ten Core Competencies of Spirits'! You caused the deaths of dozens of Spirit Masters and brought utter disgrace to our family! And now you're still yelping here? Are you trying to disgrace the clan even more on the day of its greatest triumph?"
Yu Xiaojia was incensed. This good-for-nothing had utterly shamed their Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Now that the clan had finally become the World's Number One Sect, he absolutely would not tolerate this black sheep staining their reputation.
Yu Xiaogang was stunned. "The Ten Core Competencies of Spirits"...? He hadn't just been ignored; his life's work had been condemned. It was the cause of his expulsion. It was seen as a disgrace.
He finally reacted. He had completely failed. There was no victory, no welcome, no vindication. He had no father, no clan, and no honor. He no longer had the face to stay there. He turned and once again plunged into the crowd.
This time, the spectators parted, letting the wretched figure flee. Amidst a flurry of chaos, he disappeared.
Bibi Dong watched him go, her heart aching. She saw how pitiful he was and wanted desperately to protect him. But she knew that in front of so many people—in front of her teacher—it was impossible. Even her greatest reliance, Qian Xunji, was the one who had 'forced' him out of Spirit Hall in the first place.
What could she do? She was trapped.
But she couldn't let him go like this, not in this state of utter despair. To prevent him from doing something rash, she quickly formed a telepathic message, a secret thread of Spirit Power, and sent it to the fleeing Yu Xiaogang: "Xiao Gang, tomorrow evening, meet me at our old spot. I have something to tell you."
The 'old spot' Bibi Dong referred to was the small, secluded woods on the outskirts of Spirit City, the same place where Qin Xuan had previously caught them meeting in secret.
Yu Xiaogang, who was frantically fleeing through the crowd, paused. Her voice in his mind was the only anchor in his storm of despair. He remembered: he still had Bibi Dong. He still had the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall.
He clung to this thought like a drowning man grasping at a single straw. His originally despairing heart rekindled a tiny, desperate glimmer of hope.
Now, with his reputation ruined and having been expelled from his family, Bibi Dong was his only reliance. He had to hold on to her tightly. She was all he had left.
Qin Xuan's attention had never left the main players. He saw Bibi Dong's subtle use of a telepathic message. He saw Yu Xiaogang's flicker of renewed hope. He knew exactly what was happening. This day was finally coming.
'Qian Xunji... it's time to settle our accounts.' Qin Xuan sneered in his heart. His figure flashed, melting silently into the crowd, his own preparations about to begin.
[Inorin Note:
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